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Pink Owl Kitchen » Recipes » Side Dishes » Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Published: Nov 2, 2020 · Modified: Dec 11, 2023 by Ashley · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Dive into a decadent smoked gouda mac and cheese topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs. This recipe will steal the spotlight at weeknight meals and is a must-have for your Thanksgiving spread!

smoked gouda mac and cheese on a white plate with a sliver fork.

You must try this mac and cheese—it’s packed with flavor, super creamy, and that golden-brown crust on top is perfection! The smoky kick from the freshly grated smoked gouda? It will seriously impress your guests!

For more comfort food side dishes, check out our Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Southern Cornbread Dressing, and Southern Candied Yams recipes next!

Table of Contents
  • Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe
  • Variations and Substitutions
  • How To Make This Recipe
  • Make Ahead and Storing Instructions
  • FAQs and Tips For The Best Mac and Cheese
  • More Southern Side Dishes You Will Love!
  • 📖 Recipe

Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe

  • Dried pasta. You can use any short pasta such as elbow macaroni, pasta shells, cavatappi, farfalle, penne, or fusilli. I used cavatappi for this recipe.
  • Unsalted butter. To create the roux base for the mac and cheese.
  • Chopped yellow onion. Cooked with the roux for added flavor.
  • Fresh garlic. For added freshness and flavor.
  • All-purpose flour. Cooked with butter and cream to make the cheese sauce.
  • Half and half. Combined with the butter and flour for the cheese sauce.
  • Onion powder, garlic powder, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. To season the mac and cheese.
  • Smoked gouda and regular young-aged gouda cheese. For incredible creaminess and a bold smoky flavor. You can also use white cheddar instead or regular gouda.

Panko Breadcrumb Topping

  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Unsalted butter
  • Salt and cracked black pepper
  • Fresh chopped parsley
smoked gouda mac and cheese in a white baking dish with a blue linen underneath.

Variations and Substitutions

You can switch up the flavors in this baked mac and cheese by using various cheese types. Stick to good melting cheeses for that perfect texture. Here are a few I love:

  • Cheddar
  • Gruyere
  • Monterey Jack
  • Fontina
  • Cream cheese
  • Muenster

The half and half in this recipe can be substituted for whole milk if that is what you have. You can also use a combination of milk and heavy cream, which is what half and half is.

How To Make This Recipe

onions cooking in butter for smoked gouda mac and cheese.

Step 1. Cook diced onions and garlic in butter for 2-3 minutes.

cheese sauce for smoked gouda mac and cheese cooking in a pot.

Step 2. Add the flour and cook for 2 minutes then slowly stir in the half and half. Season the sauce then stir in the shredded cheese.

smoked gouda mac and cheese in a pot.

Step 3. Stir cooked pasta into the cheese sauce.

smoked gouda mac and cheese with panko breadcrumb topping before going in the oven.

Step 4. Transfer the mac and cheese to a buttered baking dish and top with the panko breadcrumb topping. Bake the mac and cheese at 375 F for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly.

Make Ahead and Storing Instructions

Smoked gouda mac and cheese can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator overnight.

Just be sure to rinse the pasta with cool water so that it is not hot when mixed with the sauce. Also, allow the cheese sauce to cool for about 30 minutes before combining it with the pasta.

These two steps ensure your macaroni and cheese does not become mushy while sitting in the refrigerator. Allow the mac and cheese to sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes and bake as directed the day you plan to serve.

Leftover mac and cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

smoked gouda mac and cheese on a white plate with a sliver fork.

FAQs and Tips For The Best Mac and Cheese

Does smoked gouda melt well?

Smoked gouda is a great melting cheese because it is a young-aged gouda with smoke flavor added. Gouda that has not been aged a long time will have a high moisture content, making it great for melting.

How do I make macaroni and cheese creamy?

Do not add too much flour to the roux when making macaroni and cheese. Too much flour can cause the cheese sauce to become pasty instead of creamy. If you would like to take your creaminess to the next level, try adding some cream cheese, mascarpone, or Greek yogurt to your cheese sauce!

And most importantly, never use package pre-shredded cheese for macaroni and cheese! They contain anti-caking agents that prevent the cheese from melting well. Always freshly grate your cheese for mac and cheese!

Why is my mac and cheese mushy?

You most likely overcooked your pasta. Be sure to only boil your pasta until slightly under al dente, or until it still has a bit of snap when bitten into. This ensures it does not overcook when the mac and cheese is baked in the oven.

Why did my mac and cheese turn out dry?

Baked macaroni and cheese can turn out dry when it is overbaked. Only bake the mac and cheese until it is light golden brown on top and the sides are bubbly.

Macaroni cheese can also become dry if too much flour is added when making the roux. Be sure to measure flour properly to avoid this.

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If you tried this Southern Candied Yams recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

📖 Recipe

Smoked Gouda mac & cheese on a white plate with a silver fork.

Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Ashley Boyd
Dive into a decadent smoked gouda macaroni and cheese topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs. This recipe will steal the spotlight at weeknight meals and is a must-have for your Thanksgiving spread!
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prevent your screen from going dark
Servings 8 servings
Calories 742 kcal

Equipment

  • 9 x 13 baking dish
  • cheese grater
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • 6 quart Dutch oven

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound uncooked cavatappi pasta - or elbow macaroni, pasta shells, or penne
  • 6 tablespoons butter - unsalted
  • ½ cup yellow onion - chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic - minced
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ cups half and half - or whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Salt and cracked black pepper - to taste
  • 3 cups smoked gouda cheese - freshly grated, divided
  • 2 cups regular young-aged gouda cheese - or white cheddar cheese, freshly grated

Panko Breadcrumb Topping

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter - melted
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Cracked black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley - leaves and small stems only, finely chopped

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F. Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish and set it aside.
  • Cook the pasta in salted water until just under al dente and still firm to the bite. Drain the pasta and run cold water over it to stop the cooking process. Set the pasta aside.
  • Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion begins to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  • Add the flour to the pot with the onion and cook while stirring for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the half and half while stirring the mixture with a wooden spoon so lumps do not form.
  • Season the sauce with onion powder, garlic powder, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, salt, and cracked black pepper. Continue to cook the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes, or until thickened slightly, while stirring occasionally.
  • Add two cups of freshly grated smoked gouda cheese and two cups of freshly grated young-aged gouda or white cheddar and stir until the cheese is melted. Add the pasta to the pot and stir until well combined.
  • Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cup of smoked gouda cheese evenly over the top. In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley together with a fork until combined.
  • Spread the breadcrumb mixture over the mac and cheese in an even layer and transfer the mac and cheese to the preheated oven. Bake the macaroni and cheese uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Allow the mac and cheese to cool for about 10 minutes and enjoy!

Notes

  • Smoked gouda mac and cheese can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator overnight. Just be sure to rinse the pasta with cool water so that it is not hot when mixed with the sauce. Also, allow the cheese sauce to cool for about 30 minutes before combining it with the pasta.
  • Allow the mac and cheese to sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes and bake as directed the day you plan to serve.
  • Leftover mac and cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
  • Reheat mac and cheese in the microwave or oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 742kcal | Carbohydrates: 56.4g | Protein: 33.1g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 26.6g | Sodium: 916mg | Potassium: 372mg | Fiber: 2.6g | Sugar: 4.3g | Calcium: 684mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Tag @thepinkowlkitchen on Instagram! And don't forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and review!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristina

    September 29, 2022 at 12:13 am

    5 stars
    I tried this tonight for a side dish and omg it was so good! Such a perfect combination of spices and flavors, I had to go back for seconds!

    Reply
    • Ashley Boyd

      September 30, 2022 at 1:49 am

      Oh wow, what a huge compliment Kristina! I'm thrilled to her you enjoyed the mac and cheese recipe. Thank you for trying it!

      Reply
  2. Marlon Boyd

    August 04, 2022 at 3:10 am

    5 stars
    I can’t wait to use this recipe for The Holiday season!!! I know it will taste amazing!

    Reply
    • Ashley Boyd

      August 12, 2022 at 9:39 pm

      Thank you and I hope you love it!

      Reply
  3. Marla

    November 20, 2020 at 11:10 pm

    After i saw this reCipe oN Instagram, i Knew i Had to try it asap! We made some ribs in thE Smoker for dinneR tOnight, aNd tHis was the perfect sidE to Go with it. Smoky, cheesY, creamy, deliCious! The whoLe familY loved it!

    Reply
    • Ashley

      November 21, 2020 at 10:12 pm

      Hi Marla! Hearing this makes me so happy! I’m glad you and your family enjoyed the recipe. Happy Holidays!

      Reply
5 from 5 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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HEY Y'ALL!

I’m Ashley, the wife, mama, and heart behind Pink Owl Kitchen. Cooking brings me so much joy, and I love sharing the comforting Southern flavors that shaped my childhood. My hope is that each recipe fills your home with warmth, love, and the sweet presence of Jesus.

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